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Re: An Interview with Slash in Maximum Ink Music Magazine
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Slash
An interview with Guitar Legend Slash
Slash - artwork and design by Ian Chalgren - photo by Paul Brown CD: Slash
Record Label: Dik Hayd Records
by Tina Hall
April 2011
Story by Aaron Manogue
As long as rock n’ roll has been around it has been glittered with icons that have changed the landscape with their own signature sound, techniques and equipment. From Elvis to Les Paul, Jimi Hendrix to “Dimebag” Darrell, they have all left their mark on the rock n’ roll landscape and without any of them, we wouldn’t have the amazing music that we have today. This may not be any more true than when it comes to a guy from a little town called Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Born with the name of Saul Hudson, we know him for transcending time and turning everything he touches into musical gold. We all know him for writing and playing some of the most memorable guitar riffs in the history of rock. We know him for transcending time and turning everything he touches into musical gold. Ladies and gentlemen, we know him as Slash.
Since 1986, when Slash brought together Steven Adler, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan and Axl Rose to form one of the most legendary bands of all time Guns N’ Roses, Slash has been a solid force in the rock n’ roll scene. Learning life six strings at a time, Slash accredits rock for making him who he is today.
“Rock teaches you how to adapt to anything and to expect the unexpected. It toughens you up and makes you capable of dealing with a lot of the inconsistencies that life brings you. It really sets you up for anything that can possibly happen; you just have to learn how to roll with it,” Slash said.
After leaving GNR, Slash started and was part of other bands who found great success such as Slash’s Snakepit as well as more recently with Velvet Revolver which featured Slash, Duff, Matt Sorum, Dave Kushner (Wasted Youth) and perennial bad boy, lead man Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots). Just as the music industry has changed since the early 90’s when Slash and GNR were on top of the rock n’ roll world, and Slash too has clearly evolved to stay successful.
“It’s (the music industry) been going through some massive changes. The most important being the advent of the Internet and file sharing and also digital. We are still adapting to that, but that’s a major change. It’s hard to say where it is headed in the not too distant future.”
Slash recently released a solo album that once again proved that he was staying up with the times. The self-titled album features numerous mega powers of today’s rock scene including M. Shadows (Avenged Sevenfold), Myles Kennedy (Alterbridge), Lemmy (Motorhead) and even legendary shock rocker Ozzy Osbourne joined in the fun.
“I think with the songwriting, my main focus was to write the songs the way that I hear them. A lot of times when you collaborate with someone, you have to alter your own ideas to work with the other person, and the two original ideas go in different directions. The singers are all so talented and creative that I did not have to push anybody. They all came completely prepared and did an amazing job.”
Slash continued his connection with Ozzy by being part of Ozzy’s tour to promote his latest album, Scream. We asked him if he had ever dreamed of touring with Ozzy as a kid and what it was like to share the stage with another rock legend.
“I never really dreamed of touring with Ozzy when I was a kid, but I think I wanted to open up for Ozzy at some point when Guns N’ Roses was first starting out. I did end up opening for Black Sabbath with Velvet Revolver. I really enjoyed touring with Ozzy on this last supporting run that I just did. He is a great, iconic performer, a good person, and obviously a great musical talent.”
The greatest thing about a talent such as Slash is that you can always count on something new coming out soon. And it’s never something that is less than excellent. He has an endless work ethic with an unmatched set of skills of the guitar so every time there is word that he is working on another project, the rock n’ roll world is abuzz with anticipation. So what is next for perhaps one of the most iconic guitarists of our time?
“I have the next record to work on. I have a production company making horror movies, and I’ll be getting into that this summer. I’ll be making it a point to stay home a lot because I’ve been working so much recently.”
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Full Interview by Tina Hall
Maximum Ink: How do you think the music industry has changed since your early days? How would you like to see it change next?
Slash: It’s been going through some massive changes. The most important being the advent of the Internet and file sharing and also digital. We are still adapting to that, but that’s a major change. It’s hard to say where it is headed in the not too distant future.
MI: What have you learned from all your years in rock? How has the experience helped you grow as an individual?
S: Rock teaches you how to adapt to anything and to expect the unexpected. It toughens you up and makes you capable of dealing with a lot of the inconsistencies that life brings you. It really sets you up for anything that can possibly happen; you just have to learn how to roll with it.
MI: What was it like to tour with Ozzy? Did you ever dream of doing that as a child?
S: I never really dreamed of touring with Ozzy when I was a kid, but I think I wanted to open up for Ozzy at some point when Guns N’ Roses was first starting out. I did end up opening for Black Sabbath with Velvet Revolver. I really enjoyed touring with Ozzy on this last supporting run that I just did. He is a great, iconic performer, a good person, and obviously a great musical talent.
MI: What was it like working on your latest self-titled album? Do you enjoy more freedom as a solo artist?
S: I think with the songwriting, my main focus was to write the songs the way that I hear them. A lot of times when you collaborate with someone, you have to alter your own ideas to work with the other person, and the two original ideas go in different directions. The singers are all so talented and creative that I did not have to push anybody. They all came completely prepared and did an amazing job.
MI: What can your fans look forward to next?
S: I have the next record to work on. I have a production company making horror movies, and I’ll be getting into that this summer. I’ll be making it a point to stay home a lot because I’ve been working so much recently.
